Blog Post #9 - Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) in Laos

Before arriving in Laos, I was unaware of the impact war has had in the country's history. (Almost) everyone is aware of the devastation the Vietnam War had in Vietnam, but few are aware that in addition to fighting the Viet Cong, the Americans were also fighting communist forces in Laos. A secret war raged in Laos, characterized by unprecedented bombing by US Forces, because the Ho Chi Minh trail crossed borders. 

Did you know....?

• More bombs were dropped in Laos than all of Europe in World War II

The ancient Plains of Jars...broken

Evidence of the destruction is everywhere.
Here is an old hospital

• There were 580,000 bombing missions — equivalent to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24-hours a day, for 9 years

The large patch of red in the north is concentrated in Xieng Khouang province

• Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history (seven bombs for every man, woman and child living in Laos)

Remnants of the intense bombing are visible across Xieng Khouang province, given its proximity to Vietnam
(you can only imagine the size of the bombs by standing inside a crater)

• In the Tham Piu Cave alone, at least 374 villagers were killed by a single rocket. They were trying to escape from the constant bombardment happening in their backyards, rice fields, hospitals and schools

A monument very important to the Lao people

The cave entrance can be seen top right

A somber experience to say the least

• Laos Communist forces could only defend themselves with pretty rudimentary trenches dug into the sides of mountains

•  They had to take cover from 260 million cluster bombs — of which at least 30% did not explode 

Bottom of the picture you can make out the bomb shell with the cluster bombs inside

• To-date less than 1 percent of the UXOs have been cleared 

The tourists are lucky to have these markers to indicate where you can and cannot step
....even kids in schools are not so lucky

• There are at least 50 - 300 new casualties in Laos every year AND the war ended almost 50 YEARS AGO! 40% of the victims are children

The Quality of Life Association is working hard to give hope & support to UXO victims.
I bought one of their laptop bags, handcrafted by victims & their families

• Obama has recently pledged $90-million to help with clearing efforts. Despite the kind gesture, when you put that number into perspective, it is a tiny amount of money. I have read that in 2014, the US was spending at least $7.5-million per day on bombing in Iraq (that number may have risen given increased activity in the area)

Remember that the victims of war are always those most helpless

• But despite all the hardship, the strength of the Laos people is evident. All you have to do is look at local villages and businesses, where they have creatively used many of the bomb shells.

A restaurant called Craters in Phone Savan

Village rice mill supported by the casings....only in Laos

I hope this post provokes everyone to think more about the impact of war, its victims and the refugees that are created as a result. The greatness of a country is not found in the strength of its army. The schoolyard bully is the strongest. Instead the values and principles of its people make it great, especially when helping people in their time of most desperate need.